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When it comes to running a successful virtual business, you really can’t go at it completely alone. No, this doesn’t mean you need a bunch of employees or any of that jazz. But you are going to need some kind of help at some point. I can tell you for sure that my business increased, stress decreased, and happiness also increased when I hired my two virtual assistants, Lisa and Jaimie, last year.

Outsourcing (and letting go a bit…or a lot) is hugely important and there might not be anyone better than today’s guest, the creator of VirtualBusinessLifestyle.com Chris Ducker, to discuss it.

Chris is also the founder of Virtual Staff Finder, which we shamelessly plug at the end of the interview (really cool resource for finding virtual assistants). You can check it out via my affiliate link right here.

QUESTION: What has been your experience with VA’s? Do you work with one (or more?) If not, are you interested? Why or why not?

About Today’s Guest, Chris Ducker:

Chris is a thirty-something, 20-year sales and marketing guy, originally from the UK. However, for the last 10 years he’s lived in the Philippines, where for the last 5+ years he’s owned and operated his own Total Business Outsourcing firm, the Live2Sell Group of Companies. Chris is also a husband and father of three awesome kids!

At the beginning of 2010 Chris launched the VBL Blog as a way to track his own journey of hopefully becoming a full-time Virtual CEO by the end of the year, completely removing himself from his business on a day-to-day basis. In late December 2010, Chris achieved the goal and spent less than 6 days in the office in total – all whilst still conversing with clients, working closely with management, signing up new clients, and working on his 2011 business plan.

Now Chris’ mission is a very simple one – to help others do the same, and spread the word of the ‘Virtual Business Lifestyle’.

Connect With Chris (and tell him you saw him on RISE!):

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Reminders:

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Ric Hansen

I have tried a couple of on-line services that provide VAs and have done a few interviews but they are off shore, and are very very difficult to communicate with. Even when you think you have communicated your need, I walk away wondering, did they really understand. Its a communication and cultural gap that has kept me from relying on VAs. I was hoping the interview would address that. I am goinig to check out Virtual staff finder to see if it addresses that issue. Also, do you typically pay by the hour, or by the task.

The saying “lost in translation” is really true and culture does indeed affect the way what you communicate is perceived on the other end. I realized this and actually did a video interview for my blog on this very topic. Ric I will be glad to answer any questions you might have on this topic

Don’t lose hope, buddy! There are plenty of great VA’s based here in the Philippines. Some of which speak English so well, you’d not even realize they were not native English speakers. Seriously.

Fact of the matter is that a lot of people don’t really know HOW to work with people virtually. You’ll find a ton of stuff on my blog that addresses this, and I hope David allows me to post one link here that will specifically address your ‘culture’ issue:

This has turned out to be REALLY helpful. And I know of a lot of VA’s that have actually shared this with their virtual bosses, too!If you have any specific questions, don’t be shy to drop me a tweet / email from the blog.

Thanks for the comment. Hope you enjoyed our chat.Chris

Anonymous

This was a great episode. I’m at a point where I need to hire more people but don’t quite have the sales to justify it. After listening to this episode on my iPod in the car I decided to research further. After communicating with a few VAs in the Phillippines, I have to say you’re totally right about English skills being outstanding. I’m still weighing this option versus using a college intern. As always thanks for the great advice for my small business!

David Siteman Garland

That’s awesome Leah. My .02 is go with someone with experience when it comes to VAing especially if you have them handling any admin activities/representing you/your company. Interns are great for even less specialty-related things like research.

Many software are being used for a specific function in
their business like Meta Trader 4. A Meta Trader 4 is developed for use by MT4
Brokers as a standalone medium with Forex brokers managing their position
manually, which is a common method and configuration practiced by many online
MT4 Brokers nowadays.

Pojectx44

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ventures. MT4, or Meta Trader 4, is an electronic trading medium that is
currently being widely used by MT4 Brokers and other speculative
traders in the market today.

metatrader

Meta Trader 4, at a glance, is comprised of client software and a server component. The client software is given to the broker’s clients, who use the medium to view real-time charts, streaming prices and to arrange orders and manage personal accounts. The server part is operated by the MT4 Brokers themselves.

metatrader

MT4 is an efficient system that can be used in many different ways. What
MT4 Brokers specially like about the system is that it is very easy to
use. Below are some of the main features of that help MT4 Brokers in
their online transactions:

David! After I purchased CAOC I implemented everything I learned and had a $3,000 launch which was life changing. As uber excited as I was about that I soon scaled up to an $84,000 launch. Since then I’ve practiced the same CAOC system every time and now have six figure launches (just closed on a $614,000 launch!). How is that even possible?!?